RWC faculty, staff, students, and distinguished guests spilled into Muntz Auditorium on Wednesday, May 7 to pay tribute to the contributions of Dean Barbara Bardes, who announced last year her decision to step down as Dean.Dean Bardes has served RWC for over ten years as Dean, bringing “the college into the 21st century,” as Professor Lesta Cooper-Freytag claimed.
“Her greatest accomplishment was that she gave RWC a much bigger view of the world than they had,” said UC President Joseph Steger.
Although she may be stepping down, Dean Bardes will not be forgotten. Associate Dean Don O’Meara said he will best remember Dean Bardes for her “very strong guiding leadership,” while various others will remember her “way of understanding people,” the way she “kept students first,” or that she was a “leader among deans.”
Provost Anthony Perzigian said that during her tenure, Dean Bardes became a “tremendous ambassador to the college,” as is evident in the many community members who spoke on her behalf during the Reception. Karen Mantia, Superintendent of Sycamore Community District Schools, thanked Dean Bardes for her service to the school district, calling her an “ultimate educator” and a “marvelous mentor.”
Blue Ash Vice-Mayor Jack Buckman declared Wednesday, May 7, 2003 as “Barbara Bardes Day” in the City of Blue Ash, urging citizens of the community to “thank Dr. Bardes for her many contributions in defending our community.”
In recognition of her service, faculty and staff presented Dean Bardes with a quilt created by Blue Ash community volunteer Beverly Mussari, as well as a host of gag gifts including a life-size Harrison Ford display. In addition, the bridge between the Flory and SAHB Building was dedicated as the Barbara A. Bardes Bridge in honor of her achievements and contributions to the campus and beyond.
Dean Bardes concluded the ceremony in her usual style recalling humorous anecdotes of President Steger and quipping offhandedly to Provost Perzigian. On a more serious note, she recounted her journey leading her to become Dean of RWC, recounting odd coincidences and twists of fate, speculating if it was “maybe destiny” that led her to our campus.
Thanking all the members of the UC community, she issued gratitude “especially to the students, faculty, staff, and administrators of the college,” adding, “It has been a privilege to be the Dean of this college and work with each of you over the past ten years.”
In closing, Dean Bardes defined a leader as one who “helps people discover truths about themselves and about the situations, to grow and develop and move on to happiness in their careers, their lives, and their dreams,” and she added, “I hope that I’ve been able to help many of you and I hope this college will now go on and fly in the 21st century. You can do it. I know it.”
Inspirational words from an equally inspirational Dean.